At least 15 people have been killed and 32 others injured following an explosion at a political rally in the southwestern part of Pakistan organized by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) on Tuesday, September 3, 2025.
Members of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had gathered for a rally at a stadium in Quetta, the capital of the restless Balochistan province, when a bomb exploded in the parking area.
Balochistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan’s largest and poorest region, making residents constantly face deadly attacks from the Islamic states and separatist groups.
Provincial authorities said on Wednesday that, as the death toll increased from 11 to 15, the Islamic State militant group said it carried out the attack.
According to a government official, Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, the suicide attack on Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, transpired around 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the departure point of the rally at approximately 9:45pm, after the event had officially ended hours earlier.
Shafqaat again said the suicide explosion was unable to reach the venue of the rally due to stricter security measures and for that reason was forced to discharge the device from the people.
He noted that, “The remains of the bomber, believed to be under 30 years old, were recovered, and authorities estimate that around eight kilograms (17.6 pounds) of explosives were used.”
The rally on Tuesday night was held in commemoration of Ataullah Mengal, the former chief minister of Balochistan who died in 2021.
Ataullah Mengal and the leadership of the BNP were unhurt by the blast, including Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP), and former Senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Shai of the National Party.
“This mineral-rich province has been plagued by persistent unrest, with security forces contending with a simmering insurgency.”
